ATHERTON, CA – Menlo College junior right-hander Nolan Rodriguez has been named the NCBWA Division II West Region Pitcher of the Week for games played March 23-29, marking the first time an Oak baseball player has received regional weekly recognition since the program joined the NCAA Division II ranks and the PacWest Conference.
Rodriguez's selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association comes on the heels of his dominant performance against Vanguard, in which he delivered a two-hit complete-game shutout to lead Menlo to a 1-0 victory. The honor adds to an already historic week for the junior, who was also named PacWest Pitcher of the Week, making him the first Oak pitcher to earn both conference and regional weekly accolades in the same season.
"With Nolan, you're seeing the work he's put in over the last few years really come together," said Head Coach Mike Givens. "He competed every pitch, trusted his stuff, and gave us exactly what we needed in a tight game. To see him earn recognition not just in the conference but across the entire West Region is huge for him and for our program."
From PacWest to the Region
The San Jose, California, native turned in a career outing, throwing a complete 7.0 innings while matching a personal best with seven strikeouts. Rodriguez allowed just two hits and three walks in an efficient 99-pitch performance. Both hits came in the third inning, after which he settled in and held Vanguard hitless over the final four frames to secure the shutout.
Rodriguez's outing came in a tightly contested, pitching-driven matchup where Menlo managed the game's only run on a solo home run by Matt Morrison. With minimal margin for error, Rodriguez maintained command throughout, working efficiently and relying on the Oaks' defense to help preserve the lead during a late seventh-inning threat from the Lions.
The regional honor represents a significant milestone for Menlo Baseball as it continues to establish itself within Division II competition. Rodriguez's recognition reflects both individual excellence and the program's growing presence in the PacWest and across the West Region.
2026 Honorees
- Jan. 26-Feb. 1 - Player: Jack Sanders (Cal Poly Pomona), Pitcher: Austin Balentine (Stanislaus State)
- Feb. 2-Feb. 8 – Player: James Starkus (Cal State Monterey Bay), Pitcher: Dylan Esquival (Cal Poly Pomona)
- Feb. 9-Feb. 15 – Player: Dom Dominguez (Cal State San Bernardino), Pitcher: Vaughn Neckar (Point Loma)
- Feb. 16-Feb. 22 – Player: Jonny Tewinkle (Biola), Pitcher: Jayden Gabrillo (Hawaii Pacific
- Feb. 23-Mar. 1 – Player: James Starkus (Cal State Monterey Bay), Pitcher: Matthew Kaiser (Concordia)
- Mar. 2-Mar. 8 – Player: Kaden Bertram (MSU Billings), Pitcher: Brennen Chappell (MSU Billings)
- Mar. 9-Mar. 15 – Player: Isaiah Walz (Concordia), Pitcher: Matt Lorenzano (Cal Poly Pomona)
- Mar. 16-Mar. 22 – Player: Titus Wheelock (Fresno Pacific), Pitcher: Corbin Talley (Northwest Nazarene)
- Mar. 23-Mar.29 – Player: Zech Samayoa (Cal State San Marcos), Pitcher: Nolan Rodriguez (Menlo)
